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Ferdinand Believes Hodgson Left Carrick Out Due To Team Performance

23 June 2014

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Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand thinks that England manager Roy Hodgson decided not to take Michael Carrick to the World Cup 2014 simply because of the poor form shown by United as a club. United finished in a lowly seventh place – the first time they finished in this position in the Premier League history – last season. This poor performance was largely the result of an underperforming midfield, although Carrick was one of the standout players.

Ferdinand, who was recently released from United after more than a decade of service, said that the former Tottenham star has paid a price for the poor campaign of the club. Carrick was expected to be in the World Cup 2014 squad, but he was one of the experienced names to miss out on the plane to Brazil. England manager Roy Hodgson has taken only six players about the age of 30 in the squad, as he targets to bring the next generation to the fore. The likes of the young Jack Wilshere and Raheem Sterling will be hoping to play a major role in the absence of Carrick.
Last season, Carrick made 29 appearances in the league. Ferdinand says that he is shocked by the omission of Carrick. Ferdinand retired from international duty last summer.

"If anything, I was even more shocked than Carrick. If there is an obvious replacement then fine, but there isn't. He's been under-appreciated in an England shirt and never had the respect he deserves. He's the best holding midfielder England have. He knows the role. He's not constantly wondering whether to stay or go because he plays it, week in, week out. But he's not been utilised by the national managers, not given that run of eight, nine, 10 games over a sustained period to settle," said Ferdinand.